Friday, April 01, 2011

NPS Announcement

Ocracokers were shocked yesterday to learn about the National Park Service's newly released plans for the Ocracoke lighthouse. It seems that a researcher for the NPS was perusing original documents in the Library of Congress when he stumbled upon an 1823 directive, adopted by Congress, and signed into law by James Monroe, 5th President of the United States. The directive specifies the light beam patterns and the "day marker" colors for each lighthouse along the Atlantic coast. Ocracoke is listed as "steady beam...red and white, alternating horizontal bands."

Now, after nearly two hundred years, the Park Service has made plans to repaint the Ocracoke lighthouse red and white. The news spread like wildfire through the village.

Most residents were outraged and ready to fight the federal bureaucracy, although a few felt that the 1823 directive should be honored. In a matter of hours the Ocracoke Civic and Business Association issued an official statement, and drafted an online survey to gather opinions about the new colors. Be sure to make your voice heard. Take the survey by clicking here.

We'll keep you updated as this story unfolds.

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of a 1911 wedding on Portsmouth Island. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news022111.htm.

23 comments:

  1. Anonymous1:31 AM

    what other shocking news of lighthouses painted incorrect colors????. Just think of all the attention --this is monumental-- all the headlines ---- lighthouse now the proper color all the new traffic there are plenty of lighthouse fans --and to witness the historical aspect of this new paint job is mind boggling

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  2. Anonymous6:47 AM

    I believe it. I believe it.

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  3. April Fools is what I'm guessing.

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  4. Anonymous7:29 AM

    Funny. Had me there for a minute or two. All I thought was how horrible to change the lighthouse, ruling or not. I know, I know..April Fools. ;)

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  5. Anonymous8:28 AM

    April Fools--I knew it because that is the colors of the Assateague Light....

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  6. Anonymous8:58 AM

    I thought it was purple and yellow.

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  7. Julie S.9:05 AM

    Got me! You are such a hoot!

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  8. Anonymous9:13 AM

    Outstanding April Fool's joke!

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  9. Anonymous9:40 AM

    My first one of the day. Philip, Philip, Philip................

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  10. Anonymous9:50 AM

    THAT IS THE 1ST TIME I EVER FELL FOR AN APRIL FOOLS PRANK. I'm still smiling.

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  11. I didn't fall for it. I know better than to trust Philip!

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  12. Anonymous11:29 AM

    That was great....

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  13. Ya got me good on that one - I still want to take the survey...just in case!

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  14. You are very bad, Phillip! You got Tom and me soooo upset! Good one, though!

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  15. Anonymous5:39 PM

    When I read it I said "Oh No!" and then called my brother over to the computer and we both read it again and the clicked the survey button and boy did we got a laugh. You got us!!

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  16. debbie s.6:12 PM

    OOH NOT FUNNY!

    LOL

    yeah, you got me... :P

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  17. Anonymous4:09 PM

    OMG!!!! And I didnt read the comments or take the survey..... at first. Had to think about it! Boy I'm glad I didn't start spreading that one around!

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  18. Debbie Leonard8:55 PM

    Hahahaha.....funny!

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  19. Funny! Got me.

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  20. Anonymous10:46 AM

    Well - I sure wish some of the other directives that are coming our way were April Fools jokes!

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  21. Anonymous3:48 PM

    For a brief moment by BP jumped and my heart raced...then, I thought, April Fool's Day. That Philip! You just about got me! Rascal!

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